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INTERVENTION IN CUBAN AFFAIRS. 



"We can make no better beginning than by declaring at the outset that 
the Republic is free and independent; and, with this free and independent 
Government as an ally, our cause will have the good will of the lovers of 
human liberty the world over." 



SPEECH 



HON. SAMUEL PASCO, 



Ol" 1' 1^01^113 A, 



SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 



Saturday, April 16, 1898. 



WASHINOTOM. 

189S 



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SPEECH - 

Of •?■ 

HON. SAMUEL PASCO. " 



The Senate havinpc uiulor consideration the .ioiut resolution fS. R. U9) tor 
the recogTiition of the indoi»'ii<lenie of the people of Cuba, demanding that 
the Government of Spain rclimiuish its authority and government in the 
Island of Cuba, and to withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and 
Cuban waters, and directing the President of the United States to use the 
laud and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions into 
effect— 

Mv. PASCO said: 

Mr. President: Though I have participated but little in the de- 
bates in the Senate upon the ditl'erent phases of the Cuban ques- 
tion as they have from time to time been presented here, I have 
been greatly interested in the uprising of the people there against 
the domination of Spain, and my earnest sympathy has constantly 
lieen with them in the brave struggle for independence and a re- 
publican form of government which they have thus far maintained 
against a powerful opponent, superior in numbers, in discipline 
and training, and in the resources of war. The Cubans are near 
neighbors to the people of Florida. We have desired and hoped 
for their success in this une(iual contest: and in advocating the 
fullest measure of recognition that our people anil our Govern- 
ment could give them, according to the usage and practice of 
civilized nations. I have always been in entire harmony with the 
best sentiment of the State which I have the honor in part to 
represent. 

The two Houses of Congress were satisfied from the informa- 
tion that had reached them more than two years ago that the con- 
test had advanced beyond a condition of temporary and lawless 
resistance to constituted authority, beyond a mere revolt or insur- 
rection, and they solemnly and formally declared by a concurrent 
resolution that there was a state of war in Cuba with all that is 
signified by that expressive word. It meant that the Cubans were 
an organized force, that they were maintaining an army in the 
tield, that they were capable of .joining battle with Spain, and that 
in the opinion of the Senate and the House of Representatives of the 
United States the armed men sent into the tield hy this organized 
force were soldiers and not lawbreakers and criminals, and that 
they should be treated, whenever they fell into the hands of their 
enemies, according to the laws of civilized warfare. More than a 
j-ear later, in May. Isl'T. the Senato made a like declaration in tl;e 
form of a joint resolution, and it was sent to the House of Repre- 
sentatives, but it was never jia.'^sed by that body. The.se find- 
ings and declarations have heen fully justified by the sul seijuent 
history of the contest. 

Spain, with all her vast resources, has failed to restore her civil 
authority over the island, force has been continually met by force, 
and a governmental organization with armed soldiers to sustain 
32tG 'A 



it has maintained itself in open defiance of the Spanish Govern- 
ment ever since our first declaration of the existence of actual 
war. 

Notwithstanding this deliberate action of the Senate, twice re- 
peated, and the terrible array of facts developed during the debates, 
there was no response to these resolutions by the Executive, and 
the conflict, whether war or not, has gone on till weeks have 
lengthened into months and months into years. 

Meanwhile army after army has been sent by Spain to put 
down those who have been resisting her authority by force and 
arms. Sections of country have been desolated so that the m- 
habitants might have no opportunity to afford aid and comfort 
to the revolutionists. The people driven from their homes have 
been compelled to remain in towns and villages within the Spanish 
lines of defense, and the Senate and the country have recently 
been informed by members of this body who have gone to Cuba 
and witnessed the actual conditions there of the suffering and 
starvation and sacrifice of life that has been going on among these 
reconcentrados and still continues. The civilized world has been 
shocked by the sad and terrible revelations. 

Tlie time has at last come for some action on the part of Con- 
gress to settle our differences with Spain and to relieve her vic- 
tims from the oppression and sufferings which they have long 
endured. Diplomacy has failed. The President has despaired of 
accomplishing any results by further negotiation and has turned 
over the issue to Congress. In doing this he says, "I have ex- 
hausted every eft'ort to relieve the intolerable condition of affairs 
which is at our doors," and he is now awaiting our action. 

Those who have had some experience in war are fully aware of 
its horrors, and would gladly see this as well as all our inter- 
national differences settled by peaceful methods; but these methods 
have failed, and the committee to whom the President's message 
and the resolutions it evoked were referred have, after careful de- 
liberation, reported their recommendations, some of which I pro- 
pose briefly to discuss before the vote is taken. 

The preamble and resolutions of the committee are as follows: 

Joint resolution for the recognition of the independence of the people of 
Cuba, demanding that the Government of Spain relmquish its authority 
and government in the Island of Cuba, and to withdraw its land and naval 
forces from Cu!)a and Cuban waters, and directing the Pi-esident of the 
United States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry 
these resolutions into effect. 
Whereas the abhorrent conditions which have existed for more than three 



battle ship, with 2M of its oflicers and crew, while on a friendly visit in the 
harbor of Havana, and ca,n not longer be endured, as has been set forth by 
the President of the United States in his message to Congress of April 11, 
1898, upon which the action of Congress was invited: Therefore, ^ , _ , , 

Kesotved bi/ the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of 
Ameriea in Congress assembled. First. That the people of the Island of Cuba 
are, and of right ought to be, tree and independent. , ^, ^ 

Second. That it is the dutv of the United States to demand, and the Gov- 
ernment of the United States does hereby demand, that the Government of 
Spain at once rclinciuish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba 
and withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. 

Third. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, di- 
rected and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United 
States and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of 
the several States, to such extent as may be necessiiry to carry these resolu- 
tions into effect. 



A minority of the committee offer the following,' amfiulinent, 
proposing a recognition of the Republic of Cul)a as the true and 
lawful government of that island, and I favor its adoption: 

Insert in lino 4, after tho word "iudcpoiidcnt," the following: "anrl that 
the Government of the United States iKM-oby refo^nizes the Republic of 
CnVia as the true and lawful »?overnment of that island."' 

This republic is an organization that has maintained itself for 
more than three j-ears against the power of Spain. Nearl}' two 
years ago Consul-Geueral Lee reported to President Cleveland 
that the Spaniards stood no chance of ever suppressing the insur- 
rection, and during the present week he testified before the Com- 
mittee on Foreign Affairs that he does not think there is the 
slightest possibility of tlieir being coiuiuered by Spain and that 
peace can not be restored to the island by that power. 

In December, 189(), the Secretary of State in his annual report 
showed the strength of the Cuban power at that time, and I make 
the following extract from this report: 

Although statistics of their military strength are attainable with difficulty 
and are not always trustworthy wlion oiitained, enough is certainly known 
to show that the revolutiimists in the Held greatly exceed in numbers any 
organization heretofore attempted; that with l;irge accessions from tlie cen- 
tral and western districts of the island a better military discipline is added to 
iccreasod strength; that instead of mainly drawing, as heretofore, iii)on the 
comparatively primitive iiopulation of eastern Cuba, the insurgent armies 
fairly represent the intelligent asjiiratioiis of a large proportion of the poo- 
pie of the whole island, and that they purpose to wage this contest, on these 
better grounds of vantage, to tlio end and to make the present struggle a 
snpiome test of the capacity of the Cuban people to win for themselves and 
their children the heritage of self-government. 

A notable feature of the actual situation is the tactical skill displayed by- 
its leaders. When the di'^parity of numbers and the comparatively indefensi- 
ble character of the central and western Vega country are considered, the 
passage of a considerable force into Pinar del Uio, followed by its successful 
maintenance there for many mouths, must be i"cgardcd as a military success 
of a pronounced chai-actcr. I 

So, too, the Spanish force, in the field, in garrison on the island, or on it-s | 

way thither from the mother country, is largely beyond any military display : 

yet called for by a Cuban rising, thus affording an independent measure of I 

the strength of the insurrection. i 

Frcmi every accessible indication it is clear that the present relx'llion is on V 

a far more formid.ilile scale as to numbers, intelligence, and representative \ 

features than any of the preceding revolts of this century; that the corre- \ 

sponding effort of Spain for its repression has been enormously augmented, \ 

and thai, despite the constant intiux of fresh armies and material of war 
from the metropolis, the rebellion, after nearly two years of successful re- 
sistance, appears to-day to be in a condition to mdefiuitely prolong the con- 
test on its present lines. 

There is a white population upon the island of 1,000,000 people, 
and 700,000 of the.se, according to the testimony before the Sen- I 

ate, are supporting or are in sympathy with this organized gov- \ 

erument. This government is an existing fact. It has a written ' 

constitution, adopted in October, IbUo; the supreme power i.-? 
vested in a President, Vice-President, and four secretaries of 
state; its authority is recognized over fully one-half of the terri- [ 

tory of Cuba, which, tiie Committeo on Foreign Affairs informs us, 
is held to the exclusion of Spain; its officers collect taxes and dis- 
charge other official functions, and have done so ever since the 
first few months of the war; it has in the field an army of more 
than 30,000 men, and represents a force strong and powerful 
enough to instare domestic tranquillity when the liand of war is 
withdrawn. 

The President tells us in his recent mes.sage that ''the long 
trial has proved that the object for which Spain has waged war 
can not be attained." and with this quotation I can leave this part 
of the subject. 

324S 



I am not troubled by the suggestion that the proposed amend- 
ment trenches upon the prerogative of the Executive upon the 
theory that to him exclusively belongs the right to recognize a 
new member of the family of nations. Whether this is correct 
or not, when the recognition is a single act unaccompanied by no 
other proposition, is a question which Senators learned in the law 
have differed upon, but it is not a material question here. We are 
now called upon to act under a power granted exclusively to the 
Congress by the express terms of the Constitution, and the question 
of recognition is inseparably connected with it. 

The President has realized that his powers are inadequate to 
deal with the subject. He has remitted it to the Congress. We 
ai-e to reach a result that all admit requires the iinited action of 
two of the great departments of the Government, and the Execu- 
tive stands back and says the legislative must take the lead. He 
will at the appropriate time act upon the pending resolution as a 
branch of the legislative department, and if passed with the pro- 
posed amendment and thus approved, I do not share in the doubt 
expressed by the Senator from Wisconsin [Mr. Spoonek] , as to 
whether iinder such circumstances the recognition will be com- 
plete. What the legislative hand has signed the executive arm 
will surely execute. 

The war is inevitable. I do not hesitate to say. in view of recent 
events, that it has begun. Spain struck the first blow when on the 
night of February 15 a Spanish submarine mine, without notice 
or warning, was sprung in Havana Harbor, and by the explosion 
the il/a/^c^ was destroyed and hundreds of her officers, seamen, 
and marines were hurried into eternity. 

This was practically recognized as an act of war on the 8th of 
March when, at the request of the President, the two Houses of Con- 
gress placed at his disposal §50,000,000, to be used in his discretion 
for the national defense and every purpose connected therewith. 
Since that lime the Departments and bureaus have sounded the note 
of preparation, our vessels have been prepared as rapidly as possible 
for active service, new vessels and munitions of war have been pur- 
chased at home and abroad, our fortifications have been strength- 
ened, and patriotic citizens in all parts of the Union have offered 
their services in defense of their country when the two nations 
confront one another in the inevitable conitlict which is approach- 
ing, while in the meantime Spain has employed like diligence in 
warlike preparation. The resolutions we are now considering will 
soon be followed by the raising of armies and the invasion of Cuba. 
When our forces land there, I agree entirely with the Senator from 
Kentucky [Mr. LtxdsayJ . in the proposition contained in his recent 
resolution, tliat the contemplated military operations of our armies 
should be carried on in concert with the forces of the Cuban Repub- 
lic, commanded by Clen. Maximo Gomez, under suitable and proper 
arrangements to be entered into between the military authorities 
of the two Governments and with our generals in chief command. 

The resolution is as follows: 

First. That the contemplated military operations ajjaiust the Si)ani.sh ar- 
mies on the Island of Cuba should be carried on in concert with the militarv 
forces nnder the command of Gen. Maximo (Tomez. such concert to be secured 
throujjh arrangements between this (xovernment and the Ciiban revolution- 
ary authorities recognized by said Gomez, and that any offer lookintr to such 
arrangtanents that may be made by those authorities should be tavorably 
considered. j'rovidcd it shall <'oncede to the commanding officer of the United 
States troops the right to control and direct all military operations. 

Second. That all such military operations should be carried on to the end 
that the independence of the Cuban Reiniblic may be secur.^d. 

32 ir. 



The two nationalities have a common purpose in view in tliclr 
determination to forever terminate Spanisli domination npon the 
island. They are nattiral allies in tliis emergency. The Cuban 
soldiers are acclimated; they know the country well and thor- 
oughlj', and their cooperation with us must speedily result in the 
occupation of the ciiies and strongholds by the American and 
Cuban armies. 

I do not accept the view presented by the President in his re- 
cent message of the 11th of April, when he says that our forcible 
intervention to stop the war involves "hostile constraint upon 
both the parties to the contest, as well to enforce a truce as to 
guide the eventual settlement." I shrink with abhorrence from 
any idea that the approaching conflict is likely to result, under 
any circumstances, in imposing hostile constraint upon the Cubans 
who are defending themselves against Spanish tyranny. 

Many of these people who have soxight our shores to avoid tlie 
hard conditions now existing in their own land have settled in 
Florida, and they are for the most part peaceable and well-disposed 
citizens. They supply the skill and labor which have mails an 
important addition to our manufactures at Key West, at Tampa, 
and at other points, and they have added largely to our wealth 
and resources. They are a liberty-loving people, and have con- 
tributed freely of their means to aid their countrj-men who have 
carried on this prolonged contest for freedom and independence. 
They are an intelligent, well-informed people, interested in the 
education and moral training of their children, eager for informa- 
tion and knowledge and self-advancement. 

These people here and at home have been taught to believe that 
Americans are their friends and that our Government and our free 
institutions are worthy models for them to follow in building up 
a new republic in the Island of Cuba. There should be nothing 
in our action here to drive them from us or to give any groimds 
for apprehension that a time may come before the coming contest 
is brought to a termination when the flag of the United States will 
symbolize hostile constraint upon those of their countrymen who 
are in arms against Spain. 

We can make no better beginning than by declaring at the out- 
set that the republic is free and independent, and with this free 
and independent government as an all}' our cause will have the 
good will of the lovers of human liberty the world over. Such a 
recognition will relieve us of any well-founded charge of aggres- 
sion or self-aggrandizement if we thus make it clear that we pro- 
pose to claim no power, when the victory has been won. to force 
upon an unwilling people unwelcome rulers or unreasonable bur- 
dens or harsh conditions. 

We have hitherto labored under an embarrassment in onr ne- 
gotiations with Spain, because we have not recognized any right 
in the Cuban Government to be considered or heard with refer- 
ence to subjects in which she has vital interests, and arrange- 
ments are proposed which can only be successfully carried out 
with her consent. An armistice was proposed, to continue until 
October next; bi;t how vain an armistice must be unless the Cuban 
military force is a party to ir. It is often said that it takes two 
to make a (|uarrel. but it is equally as true that one man can not 
maintain the peace when his neighbor continues his attack upon 
him. 

The Cuban Republic, as a recognized Government, can agi*ee 
with Spain, if a proposition for an armistice is offered or can 

324(4 



8 

authorize the United States to speak in her behalf, if we attempt 
to negotiate for her; but an unorganized population can agree to 
no armistice, and the pending resohition seems to contemplate 
only an unorganized population when it sa.ys "that the people of 
the" Island of Cuba are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent." 

If the resolution of the committee is thus amended and our ef- 
forts are to be exerted in behalf of an independent republic and 
not to establish a government to be shaped under our dictation 
hereafter, I shall support the amended resolution. I may do so, 
though it will be with extreme reluctance, if the amendment 
should fail, in the hope and expectation that a recognition of the 
republic may be accomplished at a later day and that subsequent 
action may remove any unfavorable results that are apprehended 
from the passage of the resolution as it came from the committee. 

Mr. President, the time at ray disposal is limited, and I can not 
enter into the details of the subject as I should like, but we have 
passed the stage of prolonged debate. The time is at hand for 
action. I have the honor to represent in part a State that is pe- 
culiarly interested in this result; it is nearest the scene of action. 
During the continuance of the difficulties between Spain and 
the revolutionists there has l^een almost daily communication be- 
tween the different ports of Cuba and our own harbors, and thou- 
sands of refugees have made their homes in our cities and towns. 
The sympathy that has been expressed and manifested for these 
unfortunate people has engendered the ill will of their enemies. 
We have a long line of coast around our State exposed at many 
important points to attack by an armed flotilla, and until recently 
there were no preparations for defensive warfare except at two 
points. 

We may have to bear the brunt of the first shock of war, and 
our exposed position warns us that the danger of attack and in- 
vasion is imminent; but if war is necessary to defend the honor 
of our country, and to defend the young republic established 
almost within sight of our peninsula and the keys and islands 
around our coast, and to assist in making good the declaration of 
independence which its people have made, the people of Florida 
■will accept the verdict which we will here render after a deliber- 
ate consideration of the situation as it has been presented, and 
will meet whatever results may follow calmly and courageously. 
and in the full confidence that 'the God of Battles will give to us 
tlie ultimate victory. 



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